Metabolic Bone Disease in a Leopard Gecko: A Case Report

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common disease in reptiles, however in leopard geckos it is not well described, and most studies have addressed other aspects of the disease, so the importance of husbandry principles has been somewhat obscured. A leopard gecko was referred with the owner's complaint of dysphagia, hyporexia, and reluctance to move. Clinical examinations revealed lethargy, hypothermia, and jaw deformity. The lizard suffered from a lack of UV light source, an inappropriate temperature range, and dietary calcium deficiency. A Total-body radiograph showed a generalized decrease in the contrast between bone and soft tissue resulting from MBD. Sadly, despite supportive treatments, the gecko did not survive. According to this clinical report, it seems that leopard geckos unlike some other reptiles, rely more on UV-B light and optimum temperature than dietary sources for their vitamin D needs. As geckos are increasingly kept as pets, veterinarians and owners need to have up-to-date knowledge about the husbandry principles of this reptile.